Combination seesaw and carrousel

ABSTRACT

A combination seesaw and carrousel which allows the participant to experience the effects of forceless weights. The device is capable of two axial motions at the same time with the ability in the participants to combine the motions as desired. The vertical axle spins laterally on ball bearings inside a vertically suspended housing attached to a base. Contrary to prior art devices the fulcrum or pivot is located above the suspension bar, so that a line connecting the centroids of the participants intersects the fulcrum and all resultant forces pass vertically downward through the vertical axis so that the device is stable without the need of being permanently anchored whether spinning, swinging, or dipping. Adjustability is provided to compensate for vast differences in the weights and heights of the participants.

United States Patent [45] Patented Oct. 19, I971 [54] COMBINATION SEESAWAND CARROUSEL 5 Claims, 4 Drawing Figs.

[52] [1.8. CI 272/30, 272/54 [51] Int. Cl A63g 1/32, A63g 1 1/00 [50]Field of Search 272/30, 54, 55, 56, 85-92 [56] References Cited UNITEDSTATES PATENTS 320,960 6/1885 Peirano 272/54 1,550,040 8/1925 Nagy272/54 1,552,841 9/1925 Hector i. 272/30 2,488,889 11/1949 Allie 272/542,544,589 3/1951 Cummings 272/30 2,564,146 8/1951 Bouchard et al 272/30FORElGN PATENTS 17,567 1894 Great Britain 272/30 16,257 1900 GreatBritain 272/30 509,705 1/1955 Italy 272/30 Primary Examiner-Ant0n O.Oechsle Assistant ExaminerArnold W. Kramer Att0rney-Arthur M. SloanABSTRACT: A combination seesaw and carrousel which allows theparticipant to experience the effects of forceless weights. The deviceis capable of two axial motions at the same time with the ability in theparticipants to combine the motions as desired. The vertical axle spinslaterally on ball bearings inside a vertically suspended housingattached to a base. Contrary to prior art devices the fulcrum or pivotis located above the suspension bar, so that a line connecting thecentroids of the participants intersects the fulcrum and all resultantforces pass vertically downward through the vertical axis so that thedevice is stable without the need of being permanently anchored whetherspinning, swinging, or dipping Adjustability is provided to compensatefor vast differences in the weights and heights of the participants.

PATENTEUDEI 19 IQTI INVENTOR JOHN E ELY ATTORNEY COMBINATION SEESAW ANDCARROUSEL This invention relates to a combination seesaw or teetertotterand carrousel or merry-go-round sometimes called a whirly-bird.

Prior art devices have not enabled the participants or riders toexperience the effect of forceless weights.

Some prior art devices have not operated fully as teeter-totters andcarrousels at the same time.

Other prior art devices have not had adjustable compensa tion for largedifierences in the weights of the participants.

Still other prior art devices have required multiple legs for stabilityor actual anchoring of the device to the ground to keep from tipping orturning over.

Still other prior art devices have been noted for their lack ofstability while the device was spinning, swinging, or dipping.

In other prior art devices, only with great exertion have theparticipants been able to raise or lower themselves on theteeter-totter.

In still other prior art combination merry-go-round-teeterletters, theteeter-toner has not performed properly while the device is spinninghorizontally or standing still.

Prior art devices have also been noted in that the fulcrum has beenplaced below the suspension bar.

Prior art devices are also noted in that the lower a rider gets on theteeter-totter, the heavier his side becomes and if the rider spins theforce couple causes him to level out.

Accordingly, it is an object of the subject invention to provide acombination merry-go-round and teeter-totter for purposes of play,recreation, and exercise which is improved over prior art devices.

Another object of the subject invention is to provide a combinationseesaw and carrousel with means to compensate for large difi'erences inthe weights of the riders.

Still another object of the subject invention is to provide acombination seesaw and carrousel which is capable of two axial motionsat the same time, wherein the participants may combine the motions asdirected.

Still another object of the subject invention is to provide acombination teeter-totter and carrousel in which the stem or verticalaxle spins laterally on a bearing unit inside a vertically suspendedhousing attached to the base.

Yet another object of the subject invention is to provide a combinationteeter-totterand carrousel which is stable without the need of beingpermanently anchored.

Still another object of the subject invention is to provide acombination teeter-totter and carrousel which may be used withoutpermanent moorings inside the home, in the yard, or on a garage on anyusual type of floor covering such as rugs or linoleum.

A further object of the subject invention is to provide a combinationteeter-totter and carrousel in which the resultant forces passvertically downward through the vertical axle, thus keeping theresultant forces within the stem so that the device is always stablewhether spinning, swinging, or dipping.

An additional object of the subject invention is to provide acombination teeter-totter and carrousel on which to raise or lowerthemselves, the riders merely have to tilt their heads forward to go up,or back to go down.

Still a further object of the subject invention is to provide acombination teeter-totter and carrousel which performs the same whetherthe device is spinning horizontally or standing still.

Yet another additional object of the subject invention is to provide acombination teeter-totter and carrousel with means to compensate forvast differences in the heights of the participants.

Still one more object of the subject invention is to provide acombination teeter-totter and carrousel which differs from prior artdevices in that the fulcrum or pivot is above the suspension bar.

Yet an additional object of the subject invention is to provide acombination teeter-totter and carrousel in which the riders alwaysremain in a state of equipoise at any inclined position the suspensionbar may be in.

Further objects and purposes of the invention will appear from thefollowing description which is given for the purpose of exemplificationand by no means of limitation and in which reference is had to theappended drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the combination teeter-totter andcarrousel of the subject invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of the combinationteeter-totter and carrousel of the subject invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the suspension bracket of thecombination teeter-totter and carrousel of the subject invention. FIG. 4is a perspective view of the vertical axle of the subject invention.

As noted the subject invention is a combination teetertotter andcarrousel which allows the participants or riders to experience theeffects of forceless weight.

The device of the subject invention is useful not only as a toy but alsoas a recreational and exercise device.

Turning to FIG. 1, it can be seen that the device is constructed tohandle two riders at a time. Note the suspension bar or beam 1.

The seats 2 are located on each end of the suspension or mounting bar orbeam 1. ln front of seat 2, is a handlebar or grip 3. The seats 2 andthe handlebars or grips 3 are fixed to .the suspension bar or beam 1.The seats 2 and handlebars or grips 3 may be fixed to the suspension baror beam 1 by any suitable means such as welding or nuts or bolts. Thedevice of the subject invention is supported on the base 4 which isshown as a pedestal. Fixed to and projecting upwards from the center ofthe pedestal base 4 is tube or cylinder 5 which acts as a bearing collaror sleeve socket. For ease of rotation of the suspension bar or beam 1,ball bearing 6 is placed within the housing tube or cylinder 5, butother, suitable, bearing means may be used. Projecting downward from thesuspension bar or beam 1 and fixed to the suspension bar or beam arefoot rests or stirrups 7. The axle or rod 8 which has two upwardlyprojecting prongs or forked ends 9, is inserted in the tube or cylinder5 and rests on the ball bearing 6. Suspension bracket element 10 acts asthe link to join the suspension bar or beam 1 to the axle or shank 8.

The suspension bracket element 10 is provided with upwardly projectingprongs or tines 17 containing a series of holes 13. On each end of theelement 10 are holes 18. The suspension bar or beam 1 contains holes 11.The suspension bracket element 10 is adjustably fixed to the beam orsuspension bar 1 by lining the holes 18 in the suspension bracketelement 10 up over the selected holes 11 in the beam or suspension bar 1and the inserting of bolts 12 through the aligned holes 11 and 18 andthe tightening of nuts 20 onto the bolts 12.

The suspension bracket element 10 is suspended from the forks 9 of thepost 8 by aligning the desired holes 13 in the prongs or tines 17 withthe holes 19 in the prongs 9 and inserting pins 16 through the alignedopenings. The pins 16 act as a fulcrum or pivot allowing the suspensionbar or beam 1 to pivot upwards and downwards. As noted the series ofholes 13 allow for adjustment of the suspension bar 1 upwards ordownwards within the forks 9 to compensate for the height of the riders.The forks 9 may be provided with series of holes 14 to provide foradditional adjustment upwards and downwards in the vertical plane.Likewise if it is desired to have the device operate solely as ateeter-totter and not as a carrousel or a merry-go-round; holes 15 maybe provided in the rod or shank 8 which could be aligned with holes 21in the collar or tube 5 and fixed by suitable pin or bolt means 22.

As noted the suspension bracket 10 may be adjustably moved along thesuspension bar or beam 1 by removing the nuts 20 and bolts 12, aligningthe holes 18 with the selected holes 11 and replacing the bolts 12 andnuts 20. The suspension bar or beam 1 is per se a first class lever andthe adjustment of the suspension bracket 10 along the suspension bar orbeam 1 adjusts for large differences in the weights of the riders orparticipants. However, when the device of the subject invention is putinto motion, the differences in the weights of the riders orparticipants is of little consequence.

As noted although only one ball bearing 6 is shown in the housing orsleeve any suitable bearing arrangement may be provided. I

As can be seen the device is capable of two axial motions and the ridersor participants have the capability of combining these motions asdesired.

The stem or vertical axle 8 spins laterally on ball bearing 6 inside ofthe vertically suspended housing or tube 5'which is attached to the base4.

The device is stable without the need of being permanently anchored. itmay be used in the home on any type of floor covering. It may also beused in the yard or on a garage floor without the necessity forpermanent moorings.

The following theory has been applied. Every person has a middle weightpoint which is normally near the waist line. The middle weight point isthe centroid or center of mass. If an imaginary line is passed betweenthe midpoints of the riders and this line is caused to intersect thehorizontal pivot, then if the riders are initially balanced, as on afirst class lever, the resultant forces pass vertically downward throughthe vertical axis and continue to do so throughout the duration of theride. Since the resultant forces are within the stem, the device isalways stable whether spinning, swinging, or dipping. As a result, theriders can maneuver freely both vertically and horizontally withouttoppling.

Contrary to prior art devices, the riders of the subject invention arein equilibrium at all times. The riders have to exert substantiallylittle effort to keep the suspension bar at any chosen elevation. Toraise or lower himself, a rider has merely to tilt his head forward togo up or back to go down.

in a conventional seesaw the lower the rider gets the heavier his sidebecomes. Also, in conventional combination seesaws and carrousels, whena rider spins, the force couple causes him to level out. Since in thesubject invention the pivot or fulcrum is above the suspension bar orbeam 1, when the riders spin they do not level out but remain atwhatever inclination they have attained without any effect ofeccentricity. The placement of the fulcrum or pivot above the suspensionbar or beam 1 in the subject invention obviates the tendency to swingout or level.

To reiterate in a conventional seesaw where the fulcrum is under thesuspension bar or bear, an imaginary line passing through the center ofmass of each rider would not intersect the fulcrum and would pass abovethe fulcrum. The resultant forces are passed downward on one side of thefulcrum or pivot or the other but not at the pivot thus creating aneccentricity. In the subject invention where the fulcrum or pivot isabove the suspension bar or beam an imaginary line drawn through thecenter of mass of each rider will intersect or cross the fulcrum orpivot and the resultant forces pass vertically downward through thecentral axis or stem with no eccentricity.

The distance between the point at which the resultant forces passdownward and a vertical line drawn through the fulcrum or pivot in aconventional seesaw is the eccentricity. Since the resultant forces passdownward through the center axle or stem in the subject invention, thereis no eccentricity.

Before use the suspension bracket 10 is adjusted over the suspension baror beam 1 to compensate for large differences in the weights of theriders, with the heavier rider sitting on the shorter end and thelighter rider sitting on the longer end.

The suspension or fulcrum bracket 10 has appropriate holes 13 in theprongs 17 aligned with holes 19 in the prongs 9 to adjust for the heightof the riders.

By kicking and pushing with their feet, the riders get the device tospin. It is only hecessary for one rider to kick orpush while the otherrider keeps his feet on the foot rest or stirrup 7. When desired spin isachieved, both riders should have their feet placed on the foot rests 7.

The riders need do nothing but tilting of the heads for slow rising andfalling. By leaning the shoulders and the rest of the body above thewaist a faster ascent and descent is possible.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to apreferred embodiment, it is to be understood that modifications andvariations may be resorted to without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention. As those skilled in the art will fullyunderstand, such modifications and variations are considered to bewithin the purview and scope of the invention and appended claims.

What I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent ofthe United States:

1. A combination seesaw and carrousel including a base; vertical sleevemeans carried by the base; a vertical axle rotatable within the verticalsleeve means; two upwardly projecting prongs mounted on the top of saidaxle; at least one hole through one of said prongs aligned with a likehole in the other of said prongs; a suspension bar with means at itsends to carry riders; a suspension bracket; means adjustably fixing thesuspension bar to said suspension bracket for adjusting the relativedistance of said rider carrying means at its ends with respect to saidsuspension bracket for adjustment of the seesaw for balancing riders ofdifferent weights; said suspension bracket having two prongs extendingupwardly therefrom with one of said suspension bracket prongs having aplurality of vertically spaced holes therethrough each aligned with oneof a like plurality of vertically spaced holes through the other of saidsuspension bracket prongs; and adjustable fulcrum pin means extendingthrough respective aligned holes of the vertical axle prongs with thoseof the suspension bracket prongs whereby the height of the seesaw can beadjusted and/or the distance of the seesaw fulcrum above the top of thesuspension bar.

2. A combination seesaw and carrousel as described in claim 1 includinghandlebar means fixed to the suspension bar and arranged to be grippedby the riders and foot rests fixed to the suspension bar and arranged toaccommodate the feet of the riders.

3. A combination seesaw and carrousel as described in claim 1 in whichthe vertical axle is rotatable on bearing means carried within saidvertical sleeve means.

4. A combination seesaw and carrousel as described in claim 1 includingfurther height adjustable means between said vertical sleeve means andsaid axle.

5. The combination seesaw and carrousel as described in claim 4 whereinthe further height adjustable means includes vertically spaced holes insaid axle cooperable with hole and pin means through said verticalsleeve means.

1. A combination seesaw and carrousel including a base; vertical sleevemeans carried by the base; a vertical axle rotatable within the verticalsleeve means; two upwardly projecting prongs mounted on the top of saidaxle; at least one hole through one of said prongs aligned with a likehole in the other of said prongs; a suspension bar with means at itsends to carry riders; a suspension bracket; means adjustably fixing thesuspension bar to said suspension bracket for adjusting the relativedistance of said rider carrying means at its ends with respect to saidsuspension bracket for adjustment of the seesaw for balancing riders ofdifferent weights; said suspension bracket having two prongs extendingupwardly therefrom with one of said suspension bracket prongs having aplurality of vertically spaced holes therethrough each aligned with oneof a like plurality of vertically spaced holes through the other of saidsuspension bracket prongs; and adjustable fulcrum pin means extendingthrough respective aligned holes of the vertical axle prongs with thoseof the suspension bracket prongs whereby the height of the seesaw can beadjusted and/or the distance of the seesaw fulcrum above the top of thesuspension bar.
 2. A combination seesaw and carrousel as described inclaim 1 including handlebar means fixed to the suspension bar andarranged to be gripped by the riders and foot rests fixed to thesuspension bar and arranged to accommodate the feet of the riders.
 3. Acombination seesaw and carrousel as described in claim 1 in which thevertical axle is rotatable on bearing means carried within said verticalsleeve means.
 4. A combinAtion seesaw and carrousel as described inclaim 1 including further height adjustable means between said verticalsleeve means and said axle.
 5. The combination seesaw and carrousel asdescribed in claim 4 wherein the further height adjustable meansincludes vertically spaced holes in said axle cooperable with hole andpin means through said vertical sleeve means.